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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC 03/28/2017Downtown Advisory Committee Minutes March 28, 2017 Appointed Members Present: Matt Donnelly, Fales Fuel Reuse; Beth Ashman -Collins, Planning Board Erik Bednarek, Keep Mansfield Beautiful Frank DelVecchio, Board of Selectmen; George Pantos, Jimmy's Pub; RM,IVED ft'v N C` i ri?v,s OFFICE 21111 APR 2b P 127 Ol Brian Quinn, Mansfield Cultura1jG?upc� Nancy Wall, ID C;}.,r ',t_J_= ( S Walter Wille, Finance Committee; Others Present: Representative Jay Barrows Call to Order. Vice Chair, Matt Donnelly called the meeting to order at 7 PM. DelVecchio briefed the group that the Town Manager is the chair according to the committee authorization, so we should not elect a new chair. With the departure of Ross as Town Manager, John Stanbrook is Interim Town Manager, however he is not present. The Vice Chair should act as chair, when a Town Manager is not present. Approval of Minutes of February 28, 2017 Ashman indicated that minutes were prepared and sent to the Town Manager. Donnelly asked Ashman to send the draft minutes again by email and bring a printed copy to the next meeting. Action on the minutes was tabled. Update on Task List & Update on Presentation to Board of Selectmen Donnelly recapped where we are and said that we need to work to keep things moving ahead despite the transition of Town Manager. Wille reported that the Board of Selectmen passed a motion to authorize the Town Manager to purchase signs, banners, and walkway lighting as recommended by the Downtown Committee not to exceed $20,000. And also authorized moving forward with the cost estimate and planning of the Old Colony Trail for the purpose of applying for the GATRA grant. The group discussed the funds that are available. Wilk explained that some funds are directed and that we should contact Interim Town Manager Stanbrook if we want more information on the list of funding sources. DelVecchio said we need to figure outhow to take advantage of the $50K to move the Fales Oil project forward. Rep. Barrows said there was a "use it or lose it" on the $50 K for improvements around the Bike Trail near the Fales Oil property. The group agreed that we should Town Engineer Alves to move ahead as soon as possible with the conceptual plan. Wilk asks if we need a feasibility study to seek transportation funds for the project. It is unclear if we need a feasibility study beyond the work DPW is doing in house. Rep. Barrows said getting on the TIP would be for construction not before 2021. He suggested seeking an earmark to get moving before that and said he thinks the Town can make a good case based on the changes in Downtown Mansfield and leveraging the transit opportunity. Rep. Barrows spoke about 1) improvements to Fales Oil Site including play area, a pavilion 2) separating out the bike lane, 3) locating a GATRA stop at the park, and 4) opening Old Colony Way onto Court Street. He also referred to Alves statement that we might be able to add parking spaces in the process. Discussion of Preparation of RFP for Bike Path Design' Consultation We will email to Azinheira asking Alves to be brief us so we can get going. Donnelly would like DPW to include an estimate of the costs to clear Old Colony Way, put the bike bath on east side of Old Colony Way. Wilk suggested they might separate the project into phases. Phase 1 could include putting the curb in. Phase II could include drainage and paving, for example. Fales Oil being a park is still not a done deal with the board of selectmen. Including parking' in the plan is essential, and as part of a comprehensive plan we have a good pitch. Rep. Barrows reminded the group that if we let go of this open space, the downtown will never get open space to replace it. Other Task List Items • Banners and signs will be done by June 1. Wall and Ashman are working with the town on final specifications and on getting signs ordered: Rep. Barrows said we definitely want them up by July 11- Family Fun Night. Wall reported that Fulton Pond path clean up happened Saturday with the neighbors.and their friends. Phase 1 is done. Next up is signs. •< Take the tree down at the parking: area near Middle Common. The area looks overgrown. We think the trees are on town property. Wall will take it up with Keep Mansfield Beautiful. Are we ready for a bi-law against chain link fences in downtown Mansfield? Pantos will talk to Verizon to see if they could upgrade their chain link fence. Public parking needs to be lit. • Wall asked about if anything has been done to clean up illegal temporary signs.: Ashman will contact DPW about temporary signs to see where that stands. • Donnelly asked the town to create a page for our committee where.we'can show what we are doing. There is a simple page up, but we should think about other ways to get the word out. Wilk suggested going directly to the Sun Chronicle when we have things to share. Ashman will send links to the IDC website and Facebook page and suggested that any downtown topic would be appropriate on those sites if we want to contribute content. Rep. Barrows commented that the Baptist Church is making improvements facing the street. Task List Items Where we Want To Go Next DelVecchio would like the committee to take up the Fire Station reuse question. • Pantos proposed that we just be Main Street, not North and South Main. 2 Pantos likes the trash cans attached to the light pole. Barrows wants consistency including trash and recycling, and dog waste. Dog waste bags are a welcome sign for the dogs. Rep. Barrows talked about some of the nice details in other towns making dogs welcome and said we have a lot of dogs in Mansfield. Discussion of Preparation of RFP for Bike Path Design Consultation Bednarek shared some conceptual drawing of a few blocks of Old Colony and North Main from Church Street to Thomas Street, looking at it from an urban design perspective. The drawings showed how you could apply "Complete Streets" concepts, improve pedestrian experience, create space for outdoor cafe seating, wider sidewalks, and a separated bike bath. The concept also squares two intersections. The group was impressed with the concept and encouraged him to continue to develop it and share it with others. Adjournment We should plan to have a projector at that meeting. Donnelly adjourned the meeting at 8:30 pm. a IA